Wildlife Center Friends Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE WILDLIFE CENTER FRIENDS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT AIMS TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF NATIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES THROUGH EDUCATION, REHABILITATION, AND RELEASE. WE SUPPORT THE MERCER COUNTY WILDLIFE CENTER THROUGH FUNDRAISING TO CARE FOR INJURED, ILL, AND DISPLACED BIRD, MAMMALS, AND REPTILES IN THE CENTRAL JERSEY AREA BY PROVIDING MEDICAL TREATMENT AND TEMPORARY REFUGE. WE ALSO FOCUS ON RAISING FUNDS FOR A NATURE CENTER WHICH IS LOCATED ON MERCER COUNTY PROPERTY, NAMED MERCER COUNTY WILDLIFE CENTER. THE MERCER COUNTY WILDLIFE CENTER PROVIDES EXHIBITS AND CLASSROOM SETTINGS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT NATIVE SPECIES.
- Income
- $199,546
- Spending
- $152,550
- Spent on programs
- 59%
- Reserves
- 53.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 83
- Highest pay
- $7,455, treasurer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 53.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 24% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1559% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 86 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $90,472 spent. THE ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS THE MERCER COUNTY WILDLIFE CENTER.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2017.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.